Training a Field Dog 149 
connected with field work, but in the case of setters and pointers it is essential 
that the dog on chain should keep slightly behind his leader. While 
making him take and keep that position, by switching him on the nose 
whenever he attempts to get ahead, and using the word “heel,” he will 
become accustomed to that word of usual command for a dog to take up that 
position and not have to learn anything new. 
It must be borne in mind that a dog associates a certain sound as con- 
nected with a certain action. “Heel” is to him nothing but a sound, and 
a dog used to obey that command will do so equally well if “feel” or “deal” 
is shouted to him. This is a point that must also be noted in the selection 
of words of command which should be thoroughly distinct so that the dog 
will not have to seek for some action to distinguish what is meant. For 
instance some recommend that in addition to the long established “to-ho” 
as a command to stop, that for going on should be “go on.” 
One man gives his particular rendering of these two words, and another 
person taking the dog out might make his “go on” very much of a “to-ho” 
and confuse the dog, so that the words “hie on,” being clearly distinct, are 
much better and they are in common use. It is almost unnecessary to add 
that but one phrase only should be used for any one command, for it is not 
the words that convey the order, that is the meaning of the words such as 
they are to us, but mérely the sound. 
Presuming that the owner has a puppy of from six to eight months 
old which he finds to be intelligent and willing, and prompt in obeying 
orders such as all dogs have to obey, and is desirous of training him for 
use with the gun, it is necessary to go to work with system, and unless the 
trainer is possessed of a great deal of patience and is willing to undertake 
the compelling the dog to do what he is ordered to do without in anyway 
getting out of temper, he had better not attempt it. It frequently arises 
that a bold, heady dog is averse to doing exactly what is wanted and in the 
way it must be done. In order to assert the trainer’s absolute supremacy 
the dog must be made to submit. If once the dog succeeds in defying the 
trainer and having his own way there is always the danger of that happening 
again, and the dog must never be allowed to even imagine he has succeeded 
in defying his master. Herein lies the secret of successful training, and 
while a dog undoubtedly takes great pleasure in his work, there must ever 
be with him the knowledge that he is doing it as he has been made to do it 
and must conform to order. 
